The Homes, hats, topees and umbrellas - c.1930

UK COMMITTEE DR GRAHAM’S HOMES

Charity Registered in SC 016341

ANNUAL REPORT AND SUMMARY ACCOUNTS For the year ended 31 January 2018

MID-YEAR NEWSLETTER MAY 2018

UK Committee Dr. Graham’s Homes, ,

DR GRAHAM’S HOMES, KALIMPONG, INDIA 1900 - 2018 OVER A CENTURY OF CARING FOR CHILDREN

Founder - The Very Reverend John Anderson Graham DD, LL.B, CIE Moderator of the General Assembly of the , 1931

The Very Reverend Dr. John A Graham and Mrs. Katherine Graham

2 Charity recognised in Scotland SC 016341 UK Committee Dr. Graham’s Homes, Kalimpong, India

UK Committee Dr. Graham’s Homes, Kalimpong, India Charity Registered in Scotland SC 016341 Registered Address: 44 Aytoun Road, Pollokshields, G41 5HN www.drgrahamshomes.co.uk

Associated Organisation: Dr. Graham’s Homes (Greetings Cards) Ltd

Annual Reports and Summary Accounts For the Year Ended 31st January 2018 CONTENTS PAGE [Photo] Very Reverend Dr. John Graham & Mrs. Katherine Graham 2 Notice of AGM 3 The Trustees of the Charity 4 Chairman’s Report, Mr. James MacHardy 5 Report of the Sponsorship Secretary, Mr. 8 Report of the Treasurer, Mr. Jim Gibson 11 Summary of the Annual Accounts 2018 18 and 19 Committee Secretary’s Report 20 Announcements 20 Obituary 21 UK News and Features 23 Life on Campus – a photo montage 27 and 28

Notice of Annual General Meeting for 2018 The UK Committee’s AGM is planned for Wednesday, 16th May 2018 at 11.00am. This will be followed at 12.45pm by the Curry Lunch which is being organised as a fund-raising event to complement the Curry Lunch that is held in each October. Please put the date in your diary. The venue for both events will be the Royal Scots Club, 29-31 Abercromby Place, Edinburgh EH3 6QE. The AGM is open to all friends and supporters of Dr. Graham’s Homes, without charge, as in the past. Tickets for the Curry Lunch can be bought by friends and supporter, as well as their guests, priced at £15 each and are available from the Committee Secretary.

We look forward to welcoming you. Anne Hoggan, Committee Secretary

3 Charity recognised in Scotland SC 016341 UK Committee Dr. Graham’s Homes, Kalimpong, India

Honorary Presidents The Moderator of the General Assembly, The Primus, The Church of Scotland The Scottish Episcopal Church

The Board of Trustees 2017 – 2018

Chair Mr. James MacHardy “Roseisle”, Sawbridgeworth Road, Hatfield Heath, Essex CM22 7DR Tel. 01279 730711 Email: [email protected]

Vice-Chair Miss Aileen Fraser 17 Wemyss Crescent, Troon, Ayrshire, KA10 6NL Tel. 01292 313501 Email: [email protected]

Committee Anne Hoggan Secretary 7 Robertson Road, Cupar, Fife, KY15 5YR Tel. 01334 656992 Email: [email protected]

Sponsorship Mr. James T F Simpson Secretary 37 Campbell Drive, Bearsden, Glasgow, G61 4NF Tel. 0845 094 8839 Email: [email protected]

Treasurer Mr. James Gibson 44 Aytoun Road, Pollokshields, Glasgow G41 5HN Tel. 0141 423 8290 Email: [email protected]

Other members of the Board of Trustees Mrs. F. Cranston Mrs. T. Dennis Ms A. Donnan Mr. F. Dunn Mrs. C. Eckersley Ms S. Hume Mr. A. McCabe Ms G. Potter Mrs. M. Purtill Mrs. P. Simpson Mrs. N. Toller Rev. J. Webster Mr. D. Willis

External Appointments Auditors Cook & Co. Ltd. Solicitors BALFOUR & MANSON Chartered Accountants 54-66 Frederick Street, and Tax Advisors Edinburgh EH2 1LS

Suite 525 Baltic Chambers Bankers BANK OF SCOTLAND 50 Wellington Street 75 George Street Glasgow G2 6HJ Edinburgh EH2 3EW

4 Charity recognised in Scotland SC 016341 UK Committee Dr. Graham’s Homes, Kalimpong, India

CHAIRMAN’S REPORT 2018 James MacHardy

After the visit of the Chair of the Board of Management and her Deputy we did think that we were into a stable period at the Homes but as reported in the December Newsletter a serious period of unrest developed in the Hills from early June through to nearly the end of September. This unrest caused the closure of Banks, Government Offices, Hotels, Schools and many shops. It also caused serious problems in as the main road north was frequently closed by the action of protesters.

The West Government tried several negotiating tactics and offered to make concessions many to no avail. There was widespread looting and violence but fortunately the Homes kept a low profile and there were very limited problems there. The main difficulty was supplies but that was covered by trips to Siliguri under the cover of darkness.

Our thanks to the Headmaster and the Bursar who made several trips to register children ready for the eventual return. The Homes set up an office in Siliguri to co-ordinate this activity using teaching and secretarial staff as support.

Finally at the end of September things returned to normal and everyday life resumed, our children, who had been evacuated to or their homes returned but the three month cessation in education can only have made a lasting impression. I know that Jim Simpson, the Sponsorship secretary, will elaborate on this in his report.

The planned bike ride through , Assam and up to Kalimpong via Siliguri in September did take place but sadly was curtailed in Siliguri due to the above mentioned unrest. The cyclists are all to be congratulated on a splendid effort both physical and financial, funds raised going to the benefit of sponsored children. Three Trustees were among the cyclists who arrived triumphantly into Siliguri on the 24th September, the Homes Birthday – John

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Webster, Jim Simpson and Frank Dunn. It is worth noting that the eight bike rides have raised a total of £266,199 for the benefit of our children - thanks to all concerned and particularly to Rev. John Webster whose inspiration and encouragement made it all happen.

I visited the Homes in September last year and was pleased to see that refurbishment of the Cottages was well underway. To date three boys and three girls cottages have been refurbished: Bene, Birissa, Old Thorburn, Assam, Calcutta and Wiston. This has been carried out by a team lead by Mr. Sushil Marda working with the Superintendent Mr. Ganga Raj Tamang and the Bursar, Col Ashok Gogoi. Funds have come from the Alumni association GO and from this Committee and I am grateful to Mr. Kenny Hammond of GO and all those involved in this very necessary and worthwhile project.

Again the question of the Katherine Graham Chapel comes up; late last year the engineers employed to carry out the work have undertaken soil boring tests to better understand the sub structure. Word from the Homes is that work is to be started soon. The repairs are out of the hands of both the Homes’ Board of Management in Kolkata and the UK Committee as the Indian Government consider it an Indian Heritage site and have allocated money for repair. There are regular visits by experts and we can only hope that one day something constructive will be done to repair the iconic and historic building.

We are losing two stalwart Trustees this year, Mrs. Caroline Eckersley and Mrs. Tina Dennis, both ladies have given good support over the years and also raised large sums of money for the Homes and for the provision of accommodation in Kolkata for children attending technical colleges and further education establishments. A notable event on the calendar has been Caroline's annual Curry Lunch at the Cotswold Wildlife Park and its associated sale of Indian goods and foodstuffs. Caroline and Tina bravely took part in the 2010 Bike Bengal sponsored bike ride and will always be remembered for their photographic efforts at the Farakka Barrage!! Sincere thanks to you both for what you have done for Dr. Graham's Homes.

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Last August we appointed Mrs. Gloria Potter as the Sponsorship Secretary designate to replace Mr. Jim Simpson at this AGM. Mrs. Potter brings a range of skills to our Committee with a background in fostering and child safeguarding. Mr. Simpson and Mrs. Potter have undertaken several meetings and the management of change process now completed. Mr. Simpson has been Sponsorship Secretary for some eight years and has done an excellent job in promoting sponsorship and also opening up extended sponsorship. An area where our involvement was minimal before but now helps many sponsored children make the big step from a closeted secure environment in Kalimpong to the outside world.

Our thanks to Jim Simpson, who is remaining as a Trustee, and our welcome to Gloria Potter, we wish her every success as our new Sponsorship Secretary. Mrs. Potter comes from a background of Community Education and Child Fostering, she is also well qualified in child safeguarding.

Many of you will be aware that there is new legislation regarding Data Protection and this is explained on p20 and in the enclosed insert. To keep in touch with you we need your written agreement and we do not want to lose the contact so please complete and return the form included in this Annual Report to Jim Gibson at the address shown.

At our Trustee meetings we have been discussing our future role and how we can best continue to support the legacy of Dr. John Anderson Graham.

We frequently consider where we are:  Through the UK Committee's sponsorship programme we promote the legacy of John Anderson Graham in conjunction with the Graham family.  We have a duty of care to the children who have already suffered trauma in their short lives therefore we must be careful not to cause any further disturbance in their lives, we must keep that at the forefront of our thoughts.  We have a responsibility to our supporters and the Charity Regulator to prudently and honestly distribute their money.  The number of children at the Homes who are funded by the UK

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Committee has been falling for many years, due to many factors including competing charities, cultural change, rising costs, etc. together bringing about a reduction in the number of personal sponsors.  At our AGM our Treasurer will explain that we have sufficient reserves to manage an orderly exit from sponsorship in the medium term - we will not be in this position for ever.

The recent revelations concerning other Charities does give us cause for concern as we deal with vulnerable young people in our visits to India and Indian regulations may not be as concise in some areas as we would wish.

Therefore taking all this into account we will be making some recommendations to the AGM and in light of this the Treasurer and myself will make an early visit to India to explain our intentions.

Finally, my thanks go to all who support Dr. Graham's Homes. This year our fund raising, apart from dedicated sponsorship, reached a significant amount in donations, legacies, large and small events, talks, etc. This is no mean achievement and is done through the diligence and good will of so many people who want to see Dr Graham's Homes striving to be a place where every aspiration of a child is met, every hope achieved, and all the values that the child goes out with provided by the Homes.

Thank you for your continued support of Dr. Graham's Homes, James A. MacHardy

SPONSORSHIP SECRETARY’S REPORT 2018 James Simpson This is the tenth occasion upon which I have presented you with my Sponsorship Secretary’s Report as my contribution to UK’s Annual Report - bringing you up to date

8 Charity recognised in Scotland SC 016341 UK Committee Dr. Graham’s Homes, Kalimpong, India with sponsorship news, progress and developments at the Homes. Sadly, this is my final contribution as Sponsorship Secretary, a role which I have enjoyed enormously, as too has Pat - the worker - particularly in our interaction with the children whom you all support so loyally and whom we know, on your behalf, so well!

If I were to be asked to sum up our time with the Homes it would be to say how satisfying it has been to oversee so many children progressing over some ten years at Dr Graham’s Homes, many from Lucia King into senior school, others from senior school through to college and onwards into worthwhile careers. In the case of the latter, there has been concern over the years about the conduct of our college students, both in their performance in, and attendance at, college as well as in matters of discipline. There is no doubt that our fresh-faced school leavers have a lot to learn about life and responsibility very quickly when they leave the protective campus and green fields of Kalimpong and are faced with the frenetic world that is Kolkata. The Homes has not really been too good either at placing correctly or at supervising adequately these students so, whilst I can understand the Board’s present anxieties about managing college students in the future, I am concerned that it is perhaps being seen as a reason for even stepping back from that task. We are negotiating on that point at present! Additionally, I perceive the Homes to have lost a bit of momentum too in helping children make sensible choices about life and career paths, forgetting perhaps that their home circumstances and resources are not always up to helping them in decision-making. So here too the Homes must step back in once again; indeed, I have asked that they seriously consider inviting that well-recognised careers advisory team from Lucknow which visited the Homes during Mrs Hilda Peacock’s time as Principal.

I strongly believe – and I know that I am joined in that belief by most of our Trustees - that our responsibilities to these children whom we’ve taken out of their original home environment must be to return them safely into whatever their current home or future environment has become during their years of living in the Hills. Therefore, in the UK we continue to push for a solution to this matter and I see that as being something Pat and I will continue to address as long as we remain Trustees of the UK Committee.

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I told you this time last year of the pending temporary closure for refurbishment of our student accommodation in Kolkata, Birkmyre Hostel. Almost inevitably the works found to be necessary are proving very much more extensive and serious than anticipated so Birkmyre remains closed for the foreseeable future. There is a possibility that a few girls might be able to be accommodated by this August in time for the start of the new college year; however, even that is not certain. For the moment the students who were displaced last April are spread across families, friends, guest houses and other hostels – and that in itself has brought about an additional benefit in a reduction in the behavioural problems to which I alluded earlier. Perhaps there is a dispersal lesson to be learned? Regardless, all of our 2017 school leavers will be looked after until safely established in their new futures.

I have written and spoken many times before about the one-size-fits-all curriculum that our children are required to follow at the Homes – whether academically blessed or not. Again we raised this issue very forcibly when at the Homes in March and at last detected a chink of light that might just herald a break-through in our quest for greater consideration being given to the provision of non-academic courses for some of our children. Some members of the senior management team at the Homes as well as some Kolkata Board members responded much more sympathetically than on previous occasions – in fact coming up with some sound suggestions. Early days yet but maybe the need is recognised at last! Whatever … this magazine includes a write-up from Pat about our meeting with Marriott Hotel trainees which I hope sets the tone for the future.

But no matter the difficulties with which we see the Homes being faced, it just takes a few days’ visit to Kalimpong to make one realise how important it is that support for our children continues - albeit the form and structure of that support looks like it will need to change. For there is no doubt that overall the children – all of them – are in a happy place and one where they are totally integrated, especially the boarders in the cottages, whether private or sponsored.

To close, Pat and I would like to record how much we have enjoyed working with you over these many years to make your child’s time at the Homes as

10 Charity recognised in Scotland SC 016341 UK Committee Dr. Graham’s Homes, Kalimpong, India well as your support more meaningful. We are continuing as Trustees and hope that we can still give positively to the work of the Homes.

But, from our AGM in May and onwards, it is over to Gloria, your new Sponsorship Secretary, who too will enjoy your support, I am certain, as she takes sponsorship ever forward.

We sign off with our Kindest Regards and Best Wishes to you all – and our gratitude for your constant support. Jim and Pat Simpson – Sponsorship Secretary “Team” (both now retired!)

THE ANNUAL ACCOUNTS for the Year to 31st January 2018 Jim Gibson, UK Committee Treasurer Our accounts for the year ended 31 January 2018 show income of £590,168 and a surplus of £203,027, largely due to an exceptionally high level of legacies. Because of the level of income the accounts require to be audited. The audit has been completed and we reproduce below an extract of key sections of the accounts, namely a Summary Report of the Trustees, the Statement of Financial Activities and the Balance Sheet.

The summarised financial statements have been extracted from the full financial statements which were approved on 23 April 2018; they do not constitute the charity’s statutory financial statements and may not contain sufficient financial information to allow for a full understanding of the financial affairs of the charity. Copies of the full financial statements are available free of charge from the Treasurer, whose contact details are shown on page 4.

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UK Committee Dr Graham’s Homes, Kalimpong, India

Report of the Trustees for the year ended 31 January 2018

Statement on Risk The Trustees consider that the major risks which they face are continuity of income, fluctuations in foreign exchange, political uncertainty in India and local factors affecting the management of the Homes in Kalimpong. The potential impact of these risks is minimised by regular correspondence with supporters and monthly review of sponsorship funds received; sending remittances to India on a quarterly basis in order to even out exchange fluctuations; and regular contact with and visits by Trustees to the Homes to discuss operational issues.

Charitable Objectives The objective of the Charity is to raise money for the education and welfare of children at Dr Graham’s Homes in Kalimpong, India. The Homes give care, guidance and education to deprived and disadvantaged children from and the Hills country, usually, but not necessarily, of Christian Anglo Indian descent.

Principal Activities The Charity’s principal activity is to encourage sponsorship of children and to engage in fundraising ventures to meet the objective of raising money for The Homes in India. The UK Committee shares this task with other Committees in Ireland, Canada, Australia, New Zealand and Japan. The affairs of The Homes in India are governed by a Board of Management based in Kolkata. Mr James Simpson, Sponsorship Secretary of the UK Committee, is a member of the Kolkata Board of Management. That appointment is in the specific capacity of International Member having particular responsibility for co-ordination of sponsorship matters across all Overseas Committees.

The UK Committee’s principal source of income is from child sponsorship. Fundraising supplements the sums raised from sponsorship, thus enabling us to meet our full financial commitment to supporting the children and students for whom we are responsible.

Specifically, funds are raised by:-  Child Sponsorship. Supporters, either individually or in groups, undertake to fund the costs of a child’s education at the Homes, and, if appropriate, while at Further Education College.

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 Donations and Legacies. These come from a variety of sources, often stemming from connections with The Homes which go back many years, and contribute significantly to our funds.  Bike Rides. In recent years, groups of 10 or 12 people have cycled from Kolkata or Kathmandu to Kalimpong, raising sponsorship for the benefit of the Homes.  Other Fundraising Ventures. These include sales of Christmas cards and ethnic goods, coffee mornings, concerts, curry lunches and participation in marathon and other endurance events.

Achievements and Performance Support for the Homes During the year the Charity continued to provide a significant level of support to the Homes in India. The number of children sponsored was 203, with a further 38 students at further education colleges. This compares with numbers sponsored in the previous year of 199 at school and 46 in colleges.

The children who are sponsored come from disadvantaged backgrounds, and care is taken to match children with sponsors, who are encouraged to maintain an individual and personal link with the children who have been assigned to them throughout their time at the Homes.

Repairs to the infrastructure of the Homes following the damage caused by the Earthquake of September 2011 are still ongoing. Progress in rebuilding is slow because of logistical problems associated with mobilising labour and materials in the Darjeeling Hills. We are pleased that the West Bengal Heritage Commission has undertaken to fund and project manage all structural repairs and refurbishment works to the Katherine Graham Memorial Chapel, but restoration work is as yet in its very early stages. The UK Committee has set aside funds for reconstruction and has been working with GO, the Global OGB Association, to effect necessary repairs to the cottages. £10,000 was sent at the end of January and there is a balance of £8,000 to be sent when the reconstruction work is completed to the satisfaction of the Board of Management in India.

The major fundraising events during the year were a very successful Bike Ride in September 2017 and our annual London Curry Lunch; in addition there were coffee mornings and events run by local sponsorship groups. These, together with income from the DGH greetings card company, raised £51,000. We continue to appreciate donations from church services and Guild meetings. Our income comes from a large variety of sources and we are grateful to all those by whose loyalty and ingenuity it is generated.

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Interaction with the Homes We were pleased to welcome Dr Gillian Hart and Mr Shane Calvert, Chairman and Vice Chairman of the Board of Management, to the UK in May 2017. They were able to attend a number of events, including our Annual General Meeting, visit groups of supporters and in general experience at first hand the energy and commitment of the UK Committee’s supporter base. Mr Neil Monteiro has settled in to his role as Headmaster, but it is a matter of regret that Mr Brian Robbins left the Homes after less than a year as Principal. Mrs Ruth Glashan, who has been sponsorship liaison officer at the Homes, retired in September 2017 after 42 years of faithful service and we welcome Nicola Pereira in her place. We also work closely with Mrs Marguerite Gasper, sponsorship liaison officer at Birkmyre Hostel in Kolkata, to ensure that students are making effective use of their study time. The UK Committee is continually seeking to ensure that the Senior Management Team at the Homes functions effectively for the good of the children whom we support, and to this end we support the salaries of the sponsorship liaison officers.

The Board’s plans for the provision of further education in the Darjeeling Hills through the establishment of a further education college within the grounds of the Homes have been shelved.

Political situation in India The political situation in India is fragile with a number of political parties competing for influence, and there is often tension between the national government and local state administrations. The Indian currency reform in November 2016 continued to affect the operation of the Homes as it had the unintended effect of freezing the Foreign Currency bank account used by the UK to send money to the Homes, so that we were unable to send money to India for six months, resulting in a severe cash flow difficulties for the Homes.

Furthermore, local insurrection in the Darjeeling district erupted in June 2017 and an all out general strike was called by those seeking independence for the area. This lasted for three months during which virtually no teaching was possible, resulting in exam pupils falling seriously behind in their studies. Some of the ground has been made up by curtailing holidays, but the situation remains fragile.

Committee management Trustee meetings have been held regularly to review aspects of fundraising and to consider how best to support the needs in India. We have been in close contact with the Board of Management concerning specific needs and priorities at Kalimpong. During the year, our Chairman and Sponsorship Secretary have made official visits to the Homes, and other Trustees have visited the Homes in a private capacity. These visits provide liaison with the Board of Management and Homes staff, and help to

14 Charity recognised in Scotland SC 016341 UK Committee Dr. Graham’s Homes, Kalimpong, India deal with matters concerning the children who are supported through the UK Committee.

Mr Jim Simpson will be standing down as Sponsorship Secretary at the Annual General Meeting in May 2018 after a tenure of 10 years. We are most grateful to him for the way in which he has worked tirelessly and effectively to engage with supporters, sponsors, and staff at the Homes, and it is a testament to the esteem in which he has been held that his participation in the Bengal Bike Ride raised over £7,000. We have appointed Mrs Gloria Potter to the post of Sponsorship Secretary and look forward to the experience which she will bring to the task.

Outreach The Charity again participated in the “Heart and Soul” event run by the Church of Scotland during General Assembly Week in May 2017. This is a good opportunity to promote the work of the Homes within the Church of Scotland family, and we appreciate the fact that the Moderator is one of our Honorary Presidents. Contacts with potential new supporters have been made at events such as the London Curry Lunch and by the efforts of those who have engaged in fundraising events.

Investment Policy In accordance with the Constitution the Trustees have the power to invest in such stocks and shares, investments and property in the UK as they see to be both ethical and appropriate. The policy is to ensure a good level of income consistent with security of capital and accessibility of funds. Money which is surplus to immediate requirements is invested at the highest appropriate rate with institutions approved by the Trustees.

Responsibility for investment management rests with the Treasurer, with the assistance of an investment Sub-Committee under his chairmanship. Our stocks and shares are held in safe custody through Killik and Co, stockbrokers, who provide investment advice when requested. Our holdings are managed with a view to obtaining a balance between income and growth. At 31 January 2018, our portfolio was valued at £912,847 compared with £824,000 at 31 January 2017. The current yield on the portfolio is 3.3%.

As a result of legacy income received further funds were invested in the portfolio during the year with a view to further diversification with the purchase of holdings in the retail, banking, service, housing and technology sectors.

Grant Making Policy The Charity makes grants only for the direct benefit of the Homes and former students of the Homes who are pursuing further education.

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Funds in deficit There were no funds in deficit at the year end.

Financial Review Principal sources of funds The Charity’s activities and developments continue to be dependent upon funding from a core of committed supporters, both individuals and groups, who provide sponsorship for particular children and engage in fundraising activities. Over 70% of the funds required to meet our annual commitment to the Homes comes from these sources. In addition funds are received from legacies, and the committee acknowledges with grateful thanks the amount which has been received during the year, as stated in Note 5 to the full financial statements (available from the Treasurer).

Results for the year The Statement of Financial Activities on page 18 reflects a surplus of £203,027 (2017 – surplus of £94,270), consisting of a surplus of £217,698 (2017 – surplus £84,634) relating to Unrestricted funds, and a deficit of £14,671 (2017 – surplus of £9,636) relating to Restricted funds. Because of the large level of legacies, the charity’s income is over the audit threshold of £500,000 and so an audit is required, as opposed to an Independent Examination.

The principal factors contributing to the surplus for the year have been an exceptional year for legacy income (£237,000), some large “one off” donations, a gain of £40,000 on investments in a stock market which remains volatile (2017 - gain of £90,555), and £37,000 from the Bike Ride which took place in September 2017. Sponsorship income has decreased by around £20,000 and we have continued to draw down restricted funds in order to cover sponsorship costs. The increased income has enabled us to build up reserves which will be required to meet increasing costs at the Homes.

The Balance Sheet at the year-end is healthy, with net assets of £1,243,051.

Utilisation of funds The purpose of the Restricted funds has been to provide money for sponsoring children at the Homes, and it is the Committee’s intention to use these funds over a period of years to supplement funds received from individual sponsors which do not cover the full cost of sponsorship.

Reserves Policy It is the policy of the Charity to maintain unrestricted reserves which have arisen from past operating results at a level which equates to no less than six months income. It is

16 Charity recognised in Scotland SC 016341 UK Committee Dr. Graham’s Homes, Kalimpong, India considered prudent to keep this level to allow for possible difficulties with funding or to provide finance for special projects. At the year end, unrestricted funds amounted to £664,858, representing in excess of one year’s ordinary income. The Trustees regard this as satisfactory.

Plans for Future Periods The political situation in India remains volatile. Inflationary pressures continue to affect the Indian economy and these will inevitably affect the funds which we are required to send to India. We are working with the Homes to ensure that there is full justification for any increases in Homes costs, as these will in the longer term require to be reflected an increase in sponsorship charges.

Child sponsorship, involving individual and personal links with needy children throughout their school careers, is our Unique Selling Point. We will continue to work with the Board of Management in India, offering advice and the benefit of experience to help with the efficient running of the Homes and to ensure that the Homes can deliver a high standard of education to all its pupils, together with appropriate vocational training for less academic pupils.

On behalf of the Trustees

James MacHardy, Chairman Dated: 23 April 2018

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UK Committee Dr Graham's Homes, Kalimpong, India Statement of Financial Activities for the year ended 31 January 2018

Unrestricted Restricted 2018 2017 funds funds Total Total Income from £ £ £ £

Donations and legacies 302,018 202,265 504,283 356,053 Charitable activities 8,170 43,020 51,190 42,195 Investments 14,129 20,566 34,695 32,34632,346 Total income 324,317 265,851 590,168 430,594

Expenditure Raising Funds 15,901 - 15,901 16,209 Charitable Activities 27,789 383,923 411,712 410,670 Total expenditure 43,690 383,923 427,613 426,879

Investment gains / (losses) 40,472 - 40,472 90,555 Net income / expenditure 321,099 (118,072) 203,027 94,270

Transfers Transfer to sponsorship (103,401) 103,401 - - Net movement in funds 217,698 (14,671) 203,027 94,270

Balances brought forward at 1 February 2017 447,160 592,864 1,040,024 945,754

Balances carried forward at 31 January 2018 664,858 578,193 1,243,051 1,040,024

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UK Committee Dr Graham's Homes, Kalimpong, India Balance Sheet as at 31 January 2018

2018 2017 £ £ £ Fixed Assets Investments 912,847 824,000

Current Assets Debtors 12,409 30,848 Cash at bank 343,227 376,114

355,636 406,962 Current Liabilities due within one year Accruals and deferred income 25,432 190,938

Net Current Assets 330,204 216,024

Total Assets less Liabilities 1,243,051 1,040,024

Funds Restricted funds 578,193 592,864 Unrestricted funds 664,858 447,160

Total Funds 1,243,051 1,040,024

Please note: Copies of the full accounts are available free of charge from the Treasurer, whose contact details are shown on page 4

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Committee Secretary’s Report

In February the Trustees met in St Andrew’s and St George’s Church in Edinburgh, a new venue with a splendid café. We tackled some urgent issues of Governance, in addition to the usual business of our meetings – Finance, Sponsorship and Visits to India. We welcomed Gloria Potter, our Sponsorship Secretary Elect and will be interested to hear from her of her first visit to Kalimpong in March.

We look forward to the May AGM in the Royal Scots Club in Abercromby Place in Edinburgh on May 16th. The Edinburgh Curry lunch will follow the AGM. Anyone wishing to attend should contact me to book a place.

Thanks to all supporters for their continuing interest in our work. Anne Hoggan, Committee Secretary.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Important information about visits to Dr. Graham’s Homes To comply with child protection legislation in India, the UK Committee asks that notification of any visit to the Homes is given to the UK Sponsorship Secretary before visitors leave the UK so the Homes management can make appropriate reception arrangement s. You are asked to follow this procedure please for all cases.

General Data Protection Regulation (aka GDPR) 2018 The GDPR comes into effect on 25 May 2018. It covers all information on individuals stored electronically and most which is recorded physically.

Individuals have enhanced rights to:  be informed about the way their data is processed;  request access to a copy of their personal data;  object to their data being processed for some specific purposes;  restrict a business from processing their personal data if it is inaccurate, or if the reason for processing is contested;  correct or erase mistakes in the personal data a business stores about them;  make their personal data portable so they can share it with other data controllers;  not be evaluated by profiling based solely on automated processing of their data;  get access to a remedy by compensation if data controllers or processors use their data improperly. TH Please read the separate letter very carefully.

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Obituary Margaret Cassidy Margaret Cassidy is remembered with both respect and affection as a valuable member of the staff of Dr. Graham's Homes, an institution to which she gave 26 years of devoted service.

Her first contact with India was during the war years when she served in a place called Barrackpore, Kolkata (India). After completing her nurse's training she worked in several hospitals in the United Kingdom, but it was in 1953 she felt a real calling for work and applied to the London Committee of Dr. Grahams’s Homes (Scotland) for a post at the institution. She was appointed to the staff and Margaret Cassidy (centre) when Matron at the Homes three years later was in charge of the Steel Memorial Hospital as Matron. From the very start she proved herself to be conscientious and hard working. More importantly she had a real gift for attending to children, who were devoted to her.

These are the bare facts and no article of this nature can adequately tell of the long hours spent ministering to a sick child or member of staff. Equally important was Margaret Cassidy's contribution in effectively running the general administration of the hospital which included the training of a large number of nurses. The majority of these, now working in various parts of the world, will willingly testify to the excellent standards instilled in them as 'probationers' under Matron Cassidy's gentle but firm guidance.

Matron Cassidy had an infectious laugh and was very fond of singing. Indeed, anyone visiting the Steel Memorial Hospital was aware of the Matron’s

21 Charity recognised in Scotland SC 016341 UK Committee Dr. Graham’s Homes, Kalimpong, India presence long before they entered the building. Perhaps these are two of the qualities she believed was important for 'mental health' - a policy she preached at all times.

Apart from her long and faithful service, I have frequently wondered just what it was about Margaret Cassidy that made her possibly the most popular figure on the school compound. Was it her ever present Christian cheerfulness that appealed so much to one, or was it that quality of kindness and thoughtfulness for others which she possessed in such abundance? Could it have been her unusual gift of treating everyone alike, or was it some intangible quality she possessed of stimulating confidence? Yes, it was all of these and something more: a child-like quality of being able to appreciate and derive pleasure from the simple things of life.

She was always full of good humour and her anecdotes and recitations will long be remembered. She could also laugh at herself! She had an unusual gift of taking everything in her stride. She went blithely on her way, always expecting things to turn out right - and they always did.

It is not surprising that Her Majesty's government was pleased to confer a MBE on Margaret recognising all her accomplishments shortly after she retired from the Homes in 1978 when she returned to the UK, a recognition she so richly deserved. She carried with her the blessings and gratitude of numerous people who had experienced her healing touch.

It was with great sadness I attended Margaret's moving funeral in Peckham (London) where unfortunately she lived alone. At my request, and with the help of her Church, I was given her ashes which I took back to the beautiful cemetery in Dr Graham's Homes for internment next to our founder's grave, The Rev Dr Anderson Graham.

In conclusion her epitaph must assuredly be ......

Well done, thou good and faithful servant … enter thou into the joy of thy Lord. Now assuredly in the eternal presence of our Lord and Saviour Christ.

We thank God for such an example as Sister Margaret Cassidy. Margaretta Purtill (OGB), UK Committee Trustee

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MID-YEAR NEWSLETTER – MAY 2018

UK NEWS and FEATURES

Bookings are now closed for the 3 Ks November 2018 tour but interest is invited for the final much acclaimed tour celebration to be held in November 2019.

Please forward to your name, postal address and an email address to:

John Webster, Planetree, King’s Cross, Isle of Arran, KA27 8RG. Email: [email protected]

Your interest will be filed and full details forwarded later this year, in early December.

This will be the last chance to experience “much more than a holiday”.

Coffee Morning & Open Garden London Curry Lunch in aid of 24th October 2018

Dr. Graham's Homes, Kalimpong, India St. Columbas Church, Pont Street,

“Roseisle” London SW1X 0BD Sawbridgeworth Road,

Hatfield Heath, Herts.

10.30am ~ 1.30pm th Thursday 7 June 2018

By Donation

Raffle Book Stall Details to follow

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OUR TRAINEE MARRIOTTEERS! In 2016 the J W Marriott Hotel Group set about preparing for the launch of their brand- new luxury hotel in Kolkata. Always a period of intense effort, the Hotel adopted a strategy of recruiting young graduates with good degrees to deal with that mammoth task, knowing full well that there would be “casualties” amongst these youngsters. Three of our graduates, however, took up the challenge: Lydia, Anna and Irene, and as predicted within a year all had moved on – each to better jobs! But the diligence of these girls opened the door for Homes to make an approach to Marriott last year to take on some of our vocationally-inclined school leavers as hotel trainees. Last August Rocky and Chanin were engaged as trainees so, whilst in Kolkata in March, Pat and I went to meet them. Surprise, surprise; a third trainee had been taken on in the same intake – Brandon, one of our former pupils who left the Homes under a bit of a cloud a few years ago! Happily, he had taken a tumble to himself in the meantime and, after two years of study, had gained his ISC Board certificate and qualified for the course!

The trio were all very enthusiastic when we met with them individually and as a group. They told us of spending their first month as trainees being inducted into the basics of hotel service before starting on a twelve- month programme of departmental training; Front Office, Housekeeping, Food and Beverage and, lastly, Culinary - where all three are presently engaged. They work a nine-hour day (often more) from Monday through Friday, are off on Saturday, then spend Sunday at classes at Dinabandhu Andrews College, Kolkata. The course lasts for three years, the second and third of these spent working in the department best

24 Charity recognised in Scotland SC 016341 UK Committee Dr. Graham’s Homes, Kalimpong, India suited to the individual’s talents. For this the trainees receive a small stipend, three meals a day during the week and are provided with free accommodation off-site. At the end of their three years, a job within the JWM Group is available - and the world can become their oyster!

We were made most welcome by the HR Manger responsible for training – who clearly takes a very great personal interest in the well- being of all of her trainees. Our three youngsters were most enthusiastic and keen to share their experiences – and concerns - with us and we were able to pick up upon some actions where outside support would help. Marguerite, our lady in Kolkata, has undertaken to oversee their medical needs, for example. But it was the words and enthusiasm of each of our students: “I wake up each morning with a smile!”, “No gain - no pain!”, “This is hard!” that gave us the true picture!

We are very anxious that the performance of all six of these Homes youngsters keeps that JW Marriott door open for many more batches of trainees. Hopefully this is the first sign of a Homes’ appreciation of the need to guide all of our school leavers whatever their abilities, into safe and secure futures. Jim Simpson

ELENA – A NURSE’S TALE Whilst Jim and I were in Kalimpong in March this year on our annual visit to meet with your sponsored children, included in our programme were the regular Sunday services in Jarvie Hall (sadly, the Chapel remains off limits - still suffering from the effects of the 2011 earthquake). As we came out of one service we were thrilled to find someone waiting to meet us – none

25 Charity recognised in Scotland SC 016341 UK Committee Dr. Graham’s Homes, Kalimpong, India other than Elena whom we had sponsored through her student training at Duncan Hospital in Bihar. Hearing we were “in town”, Elena and a nursing friend had boarded a taxi in Siliguri at 5:00a.m., travelling for almost three hours up to Kalimpong in the hope that we would be there to meet them! Tears of joy all round - a great thrill for all of us to meet up once again!

Towards the end of 2012 when Elena was completing her year as Girls Captain of School - once again, a sponsored pupil given an important role in the school management team – we learned that she was looking towards a nursing career as the next phase in her life. We were delighted when we heard later that she’d been admitted to the Nursing School at Duncan Hospital, an establishment linked historically with Dr Graham.

After three years of study, Elena qualified as a midwife after graduating with honours in General Nursing Midwifery - one of the top students of her batch. Another year of training saw her gaining sufficient experience to take up the role of staff nurse in a Missionary Hospital in Madhepura in Bihar. There she soon found out the difference between a large, well-equipped, private hospital and one where everything is in short supply – staff, beds, equipment and money. Later, another move, this time to Silesian Hospital in Siliguri – when, again, she sprang a surprise meeting as she caught up with Jim during the Bhutan-Bengal Bike Ride last September!

Her career moves ever-onwards and today Elena is Staff Nurse in charge of the Neo-Natal Intensive

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Care Unit in Maharaja Agrasen Hospital in Siliguri. Additionally, her duties also call upon her to assist in that hospital’s ICU for Critical Care and Emergency. But her nursing and midwifery skills are not confined to hospital wards, for frequently she volunteers with a team of specialist nurses to go out into the villages to train local women in the basic practices of childbirth, there combating some of the unsafe and even fatal practices often to be found in the countryside.

Our meeting with Elena, hearing how dedicated she is to mid-wifery and to the care of those not only in the hospitals but in the villages too, emphasised for us once again just how important is the preparation for life which our supported pupils receive at Dr Graham’s Homes. In fact, at least eight of our girls are in, or have been through, nursing training recently; more in the December Newsletter! Truly there is the need for extended student sponsorship as a further stage beyond that of pupil support! Pat Simpson

SNAPSHOTS OF LIFE ON CAMPUS

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My thanks to everyone who contributed to the content of this Annual Report and Newsletter; without you its production would not have been possible. Editor

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